On 2^nd March 2022, KEPSA hosted an engagement meeting with presidential candidate, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, on the proposed private sector economic manifesto at Nairobi Serena Hotel. This is part of a series of engagements the private sector will conduct with the presidential candidates in the run-up to this year’s General Elections.

Hon. Raila was accompanied by H.E Nderitu Muriithi – Governor, Laikipia County and the Chair of Raila Odinga Campaign Board, Hon. Gladys Wanga – Women Rep. Homabay County, Hon. Kanini Kega – MP, Kieni Constituency, Prof. Makau Mutua – Spokesperson, Raila Odinga Campaign Team.

In his welcoming remarks, KEPSA Foundation Chair, Mr. Patrick Obath noted that KEPSA has a strong interest in what goes on in the country and that part of the process is to engage with the leadership in the country.

The Chair of Mkenya Daima Initiative Steering Committee Dr. Vimal Shah outlined the initiative’s role of inspiring peaceful elections and smooth transition, creating stability which is essential for businesses continuity and prosperity for Kenya as a Nation. He said that Mkenya Daima will continue to play its role while pointing out the three focus areas follows;

• Political Pillar – Leadership and Governance
• Economic Pillar – People-Centred and Economy-led Manifestos
• Social Pillar – Peaceful elections and smooth transition   

Among the key issues the initiative is championing include;

• Ensuring political awareness
• Articulation of issues that divide the nation during elections
• Rallying all Kenyans to be responsible for Kenya
• Push for national values
• Ensuring Kenyans focus on ‘Wajibu wetu’ as opposed to ‘Haki Yetu’

In her remarks, KEPSA Chair Ms. Flora Mutahi noted that the country has made improvement in the ease of doing business, access to markets and infrastructure while pointing out that addressing the policy and legislative regime to enable business will be key. She also said that the unpredictable environment has made it challenging for the private sector to plan. She added that trust would be paramount in the public and private engagements to ensure transparency and open communication.

While presenting the proposed private sector manifesto, KEPSA CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki noted that increased employment       opportunities and sector growth will catalyze economic transformation. She added that investments in the creation and expansion of critical sectors and increased demand for local products and content can result in greater access to services and amenities and higher levels of consumption.

The Private Sector is keen on the following five (5) thematic areas:

1. Spurring jobs and inclusive wealth creation
2. Social transformation to reduce inequalities
3. Enhanced governance and economic stability
4. Spur cutting edge innovation & investment in competitive human capital
5. Creating a globally competitive business environment

Hon. Odinga in his remarks noted that during the Grand Coalition Government, the establishment of the Prime Minister’s Roundtable with the private sector created a mechanism for the much-needed collaboration with the public sector. He said that the roundtables enabled the two sectors to clear critical bottlenecks for the good of business and the nation. “My vision is to see the country empower the private sector and make the sector turn Kenya into a trading nation, identified with specific products and services in the African and global export trade market.” He remarked.

Azimio government will focus on:

1. Prioritise industrialization
2. Push the shift of having the agriculture sector from exporting raw materials to exporting finished products.
3. Set up a dedicated body to monitor long term planning on international trade agenda, focusing on exporting
4. Join the private sector in planning – the government will organize monthly trade training meetings bringing onboard all key stakeholders.
5. Unveil an award scheme of the best exporter.
6. Support private sector through tax breaks, government guarantees.
7. Ensuring there are enabling policies to promote exports in specific industries
8. Ensuring business and trade are part of the diplomacy – the government, through our embassies, will support Kenyan companies abroad.
9. Pay attention to MSMEs to tackle the challenges of unlocking foreign markets.
10. Revamp the Export Promotion Council to provide export support services to the private sector.
11. Provide firms with political and economic intelligence to assist in exploiting new markets.
12. Provide a level playing ground to all firms to ensure that MSMEs scale up, increase their efficiency and match up to the big multinationals.
13. Invest in education and research to improve local labour skill sets
14. Invest in knowledge and innovation economy that is – invest in the ICT sector to ensure the Kenyan demographic works in foreign markets.
15. Maintain a constant and well-coordinated relationship between the Private Sector and govt.

As Kenya looks forward to the elections and the evolving governance space, there is need to collectively look and envision a prosperous Kenya and aspire towards that vision. For this reason, KEPSA together with other stakeholders, through the Mkenya Daima Initiative aims to champion for peaceful elections and smooth electoral transition, as well as to build on the “Wajibu Wangu” rallying call for all Kenyans to be responsible citizens. The initiative shall seek to work with the current and aspiring leaders to influence political manifestos to be people-centred and economy conscious, and urge for peaceful co-existence before, during and after the 2022 elections.